Skip to main content

Book Review - Instant Self Hypnosis

I learnt about this book from an MHO. For me it is for dealing with anxiety. But I will see what else I can learn from it. I am skeptical about a title with the word hypnosis in it but let us see. I would have chosen a better title. I do not want to be hypnotized and then cannot snap out of it. So I will be reading this book not calling it hypnosis but taking away the useful bits I could. Instead of hypnotherapy I would have said imagination therapy. Imagination instead of hypnosis.

The book addresses issues that affect everyone and that are important in living a fulfilling life. Like removing bad habits, confidence building, goal attainment, and so much more. I like that the author talks about the subconscious mind. So much of our behavior and understanding and decision making and abilities and others depend on our subconscious at least in my layman view. I am glad the author addresses the misconceptions and safety of hypnosis because I am skeptical. The book makes it clearer what the subconscious mind is and my sentence about the subconscious mind above could be said better.

I like the use of the computer being programmed being compared to the mind especially coming from a tech background. The mind has a safety mechanism in place that prevents us from changing our minds often and going into confusion. We can form a good habit by persistence and repetition and also affirmations. But the book is saying there is a third and easier way to get past the body's defense mechanism and that is hypnosis. I like that the author addresses misconceptions about hypnosis and how that goes against using it for therapy instead of entertainment. Makes me feel better than I felt when I started this book review.

The book defines hypnosis as a state of narrowed attention in which suggestibility is greatly heightened. It does not produce change but creates an environment highly conducive to change. At this point I am asking myself if I can hypnotize myself while walking. Because walking is what I am doing these days. There is a difference between hypnosis and meditation. The difference is the reason for both; meditation is for quieting thought while hypnosis is for making suggestions to the subconscious. Although active meditation is similar to hypnosis, the techniques are different. Then there is creative visualization. I think this would be the most beneficial to me to deal with anxiety.

I am trying to think how hypnosis could benefit me. I do not have any bad habits that stand out to me right now. Maybe it could help me be an extrovert. Become more social. But I love being introverted and being by myself and away from people. I guess advantages and disadvantages to everything. I want to lose weight and get fit and strong. That is probably what I would use self-hypnosis with. Also with managing my mental illness. I understand the part where the author says that you have to be willing for hypnosis to work. I am not comfortable going into hypnosis but I read the script and it does seem like something that would relax you and put you into a suggestive state.

The takeaway for me would be that I could read scripts to relax. I could develop scripts where I imagine myself after achieving some goal. I guess that is the same thing but the hypnosis thing still bothers me. I want to be in charge of my senses. That is why I will never drink alcohol or do drugs. I like that the book comes with some prepared scripts. I like the "You're Getting Sleepy","Lose Weight" and "Eat Healthy, Eat Right" scripts. And you are guided in creating your own scripts from templates. The author emphasizes that you have to be willing for the best results. Also belief and expectation. The author gives some bonus advice on how to make affirmations better. I have been doing daily affirmations and I enjoy doing them. The tone of the book is plenty calming and does make you feel like this is something that will work.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to measure success?

It is 509pm and I have decided to write. How to measure success? That is the question. It is very hard to measure success. I think only God has the true measure of success or failure. Someone may be a failure in this life but a success in the next life. We are told that God looks at intentions and effort. We can also determine our own definition of success. We do not have to let the world define success for us. We think of the world as not being a fair place so any one size fits all definitions of success or failure would be careless and wrong. Many times we think in terms of numbers. The grander the better. But what about quality over quantity? My friend tells me that I am essentially arguing for the democratization of success. I am taking the power away from society, institutions, and algorithms, and handing it back to the individual and God. That is true but I am essentially wanting to look at the bigger picture and to do that I am thinking that we have to answer some key questions ...

Rainy afternoon thoughts

It is 220pm and I have decided to write. The rain is falling. I can hear it on the roof. It is gloomy outside but inside is nice and cozy in my favorite corner. I have no idea what I want to write about. I will start by saying God is good. Always. The islamic new year starts tonight in Trinidad. I am happy about that. Another milestone. Another opportunity to grow better. My friend Chatty asks me, what has God been teaching me lately? God has been teaching me patience. How to remain calm. How to appreciate my flaws. My flaws keep me humble. Let go and let God. He also asks, what am I hoping for? Sometimes I think about writing more tech blog posts. How can tech make the country better? How can tech make the world better? But I remember writing about the Arima smart city project and concluding that smart cities need smart people. Human development is very important. If people are not developing then what is the use of it all. How can technology help people become better? It all starts i...

The answer is God

It is 308pm and I have decided to write. Make God a priority. Let God lead the way. Let everything be about God. Let God into your life. Surround yourself with God and watch how everything begins to make sense. This life is not an accident. This life is not happenstance. This life is the work of an all-powerful Creator. Nothing is too big or too small for God. Take your problems to God. Take your worries to God. Take your fears to God. Let go and let God. Submit to the will of God. The more you go to God, the more He comes to you. Start small. Start somewhere. Give God a chance if you have not done so already. Why do I say all of this? There are many things competing for your attention and your soul. In the midst of all of this, the world can seem like a confusing place where many things do not make sense. God brings clarity. God brings clarity because God sits above it all. You may think you do not need God until you do. Ask yourself, who is the wisest you know? If God is not the wise...